About

A vigorous, rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial to 60cm high, with long, lightly toothed green leaves splashed with bronze. Produces masses of flowers with white spurs and pink centres, held above the leaves on arching, deep red stems in spring.

About the genus

Epimedium are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, and open sprays of small, bowl-shaped flowers, often with prominent spurs, in mid to late spring

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich soil in partial shade, provide shelter from cold, dry winds
PruningClip back old leaves in late winter or early spring, before new flower spikes form
PropagationPropagate by seed, by division in autumn or after flowering, or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to virus diseases